Catherine

X-rates and Forex both provide historical lookups by date, going back years and years. I use it all the time. You are supposed to use the rate as of the transaction date, not an average. yes, we use averages for when we don't *have* dates. When I get specific dates, I do the exchange per date and charge for the time it takes me.

Of COURSE it's illegal. The IRS just says it doesn't care about illegal if funds are coming IN under those fake ssn's, and don't see that they lose with all the fraudulent refunds that go back OUT under those fake ssn's. (Next snarky comment redacted as it was crossing the line into politics. You can extrapolate for yourself.)

FAR better than "Welcome to my back yard"...! We love you, @RitaB. Just sayin'...

I am not exactly sure what happened to my client -- but I know it involved a new doctor, change in medications, blood clots, collapse, and several weeks in ICU starting last October-ish. He is left with memory issues, balance issues, attention span issues, and more. And he has been a high-level major project manager/coordinator... multi-tasking, long days, high pressure, complex issues -- kinda like a tax accountant, only for LOTS more money. I have no doubt it will be impossible for him to go back at the same level, and really don't know how well he could do at any level, with his employer. I do know he's very lucky still to be with us.

Another one I love -- from clients who have sent absolutely NO documentation so far -- "Am I going to owe this year?" Magic 8-Ball says "answer hazy; ask again later." Like, maybe after you send me some information on which to base a guess.

Thank you -- will pass the info along.

Hi folks -- A client contacted me asking if I knew anyone who helps people navigate the SSDI application process. At one point in the deep and distant past I think I did -- but I have no clue who it was or if they still might be in business. Anyone here have suggestions for Massachusetts? TIA, Catherine

That happened to my husband a number of years ago. They basically tack-weld the retina in place with cryo-surgery (at least that's what they did for him). He had to use icky eye drops for a week and he has to have a super-duper eye exam every couple of years. He may well NOT be able to drive himself; the post-surgery eye may be covered for some time and most folks have a heck of a time trying to drive with no depth perception.

.22 caliber double National Gallery Match course (600 point match) weekly. "Donut league" since after the match we have donuts while the scoring is done. I also usually add up the scores 'cuz I can do it faster by hand than the rest of the folks with calculators.

Just looked up mine; 4/12 - so it didn't take me too long, either. THANK YOU Eric for setting up this board; it has been a professional lifesaver and pressure-relief valve all in one for all these years.

Silly Tom! Just *knowing* about the two of us totally stops any need for pasturage acres.

Might I recommend a good 24# sledge hammer instead of a firearm for the recalcitrant printer? You can hit it repeatedly, can do it within city limits, don't need to wear ear protection (eye protection would be a good idea, though), don't need a permit, and swinging a sledge that heavy will really work out the rage. You can borrow mine, if need be. (My grandfather was a mason, and sometimes you need to take *down* the brick wall. I have a complete assortment of sledge hammers from a little 2#-er up the the big one. I still remember how proud I was the first time I was strong enough to get it 1/4" above the floor... musta been about six years old.)

Something has gone right this year; standings for our weekly pistol competition league are in for the year. I had the third-highest average in the league for the year (of people who met the other criteria for awards; two with higher averages only shot in a couple of matches so were not qualified)! GBPL Standings 2015-2016

Well Sunday morning at 10AM I was on my way to church so you would not have found me here.

Happy Birthday, KC! When I grow up I want to be just like you!

Almost all my extensions are in. A couple from whom I am awaiting signature doc's only and if I don't have those by Friday they go on extension too. This week I'm going back to look for folks who should send in money. After being dead int eh water for eight days, I made the decision that getting all extensions submitted for all clients was more important than any other consideration.

The initials are more important because your clients and acquaintance-level colleagues respect them. They are meaningless without the actual knowledge and skills to back them up. I got the EA over a decade ago to represent clients coming to me with prior-year problems. My degree is in earth & materials sciences but I put myself through college doing bookkeeping and accounting. Worked for an agency and got to work in so many different fields and that has been really useful. I've seen know-nothing bookkeepers make a muck of things. I've seen know-too-much bookkeepers make a muck of things (including on purpose, by theft). I've seen know-it-all CPA's make a very impressive muck of things. I've seen CEO's make a muck of things (the one I'm thinking of, by embezzlement) and the CPA in charge of financial statements to the board most definitely did NOT want to follow up on my very leading questions. I've found errors in audited financial statements prepared by a high-end chartered accountancy firm, brought in by a client with interests in a foreign company. I resolved issues in a month that led a guy with a Master's in Accounting a merry chase for three years. I always figure, there are no differential equations involved, so how hard can accounting be? The answer: not terribly IF you are willing to look with an open mind, dig into and DO the messy grunt work, and not muck with things-as-they-stand until you understand what already works and what does not. The big issue with EA's and corporations is that it's really hard to do anything but tiny corporations as a one-person shop, and still serve other clients. That's where a CPA firm comes in handy - they tend to be larger. They also tend to work with companies big enough to have a competent in-house accounting staff. The alphabet salad means nothing if you can't back it up. Lack of alphabet salad means (or should mean) nothing if you can produce the results. And the alphabet salad I like best is on my Constitution teaching cards; "Catherine G White, CLFBM." Came from the first big presentation I did, years ago. Lady who had hired me to talk to her group (and was very surprised at my lack of height; had expected me to be much taller) told me the next day that I was a "cute little fire-breathing munchkin" and I just loved that.

Anyone who wants a walk-through of MA can call me at 781-899-2200 x1.

Absolutely! The least they can do is come fetch when it is convenient to YOU -- and if it's inconvenient to them, that's just ducky with me.

I sometimes leave my machine on when it's backing up as I want to leave and I'm not willing to wait until it finishes. There are also night owls here who start work at 5PM and go overnight. I hope we're all taking the time to sleep! I have gotten VERY cranky about needy clients. If they're not willing to stay up for me, I'm not willing to stay up for them. End of story. And don't even TALK to me about those who want fast turn-around so they can go on vacation for three weeks. Those people come closer and closer to getting dope-slapped (I won't -- but I *will* think about it!).

Dead in the water for eight days with computer issues. My town tried to evict us. Does that say enough about what kind of season this has been for me? And for real, the practice is going up for sale after 4/20. I'll teach and keep a couple of low-rent or family clients.

You do not want ANYTHING connecting these fraudsters to you. Hand them back their papers and don't even let them take your business card let alone any of your work. Tell them that when (not if; when) the IRS audits them they are NOT to come to you as you now know they are willing to ignore the rules.

Oh, yeah!

There are times I am so disgusted I want to go back to clay tablets and cuneiform.